"Spain and Romania are two active members committed to the European integration project", says Mariano Rajoy

Moncloa Palace, Madrid

Mariano Rajoy received Klaus Werner Iohannis at Moncloa Palace just hours after the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the European Union had concluded in Brussels, at which it was unanimously agreed to offer Greece a third bailout.

The President of the Government highlighted the excellent bilateral relations between Romania and Spain and recalled that the Romanian community in our country comprises close on 1 million people, who have helped contribute to its development. The experience of integrating illegal immigrants from Romania is, in his opinion, one of the "clearest and most successful" examples throughout Europe and clearly shows "the diversity, tolerance and openness that characterises Spanish society".

The President of the Government referred to the growing dynamism of trade exchanges between the two countries, which hit historic levels in 2014 exceeding 2.74 billion euros, 15% up on the previous year. "Our companies are participating in various projects to modernise infrastructure in Romania by taking advantage of the window of opportunity offered by the fact that Romania is one of the main recipients of EU funding".

He also underlined that close cultural relations exist between the two countries that translate into intense activity of the Cervantes Institute, with its centre in Bucharest now celebrating 20 years. "Spanish is studied as the second foreign language by more than 13,000 secondary school students, which is, quite frankly, a positive figure, as it shows considerable interest overseas in the language and culture of Spain", he pointed out.

Mariano Rajoy also stressed that Spain and Romania are two active members of the EU that are committed to European integration and to the defence of its values and principles: solidarity; economic, social and territorial cohesion; the free movement of people; responsibility and meeting commitments to project an image of credibility both within the European Union and beyond its borders.

The two Heads of Government defended the need to continue working jointly through the European Union to foster job creation, growth and competitiveness. "We are achieving this, as is made clear in an undeniable fashion by the macroeconomic figures, but it is fundamental to continue working tirelessly to shore up what we have all achieved thus far, through so much hard work. Not to do so would mean returning to the errors, excesses and irresponsibilities of the past", declared Mariano Rajoy.

International politics

Pool MoncloaDuring the course of the meeting, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the fight against and eradication of Jihadi terrorism. This fight, according to Mariano Rajoy, requires determination, a joint effort and the adoption of a comprehensive approach that includes intercultural dialogue, border control and combating the financing of terrorism, as well as avoiding the recruitment and radicalisation of young people.

In this regard, he underlined that Spain will organise a ministerial meeting of the United Nations Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee at the end of the month, which is particularly engaged in the phenomenon of so-called foreign combatants.

With regard to Libya, the President of the Government asserted that Spain and Romania wish to see an increasing number of States signing up to an agreement that guarantees the territorial integrity of the country, thus tackling head on "and in an effective manner Jihadi terrorism and the people engaged in human trafficking".

As regards the crisis in Ukraine, Mariano Rajoy and Klaus Werner Iohannis reiterated their call to the parties involved to respect the ceasefire and make progress on complying with the political aspects contained in the Minsk Agreements, explained Mariano Rajoy. The President of the Government added that it is also necessary to "foster extensive and inclusive dialogue with Russia which remains our largest neighbour and a key player on the international stage".

Greece: solidarity and trust

Pool MoncloaIn response to journalists, the President of the Government described the agreement reached on Greece in Brussels on Monday morning as "reasonable" and "balanced". In his opinion, this is "good news", because it helps strengthen the Euro, "a currency that we all want to be a part of and which no-one wants to leave", and because it reflects two key values of the European Union: solidarity and trust.

Mariano Rajoy recalled that the Member States have lent Greece amounts equivalent to some 90% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and that "this solidarity will be maintained following Sunday's meeting". As regards trust, in order for an organisation such as the European Union to operate - of which we are 28 Member States - or the Eurozone - with 19 members - "we must trust each other, but this trust must be earned", he said. Mariano Rajoy underlined the importance of meeting commitments and of following rules and procedures.

The President of the Government expressed his conviction that if we all uphold our part of the bargain, "in the end Greece will enjoy growth, job creation and hence the well-being and wealth of all its citizens will improve, which is the key issue". Once the Greek Parliament approves the necessary laws and the institutions revise and ensure that its commitments have been met, Spain will contribute to the programme - through a loan from the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) - some 11-12% of the total, which is what corresponds to its GDP, explained Mariano Rajoy.

Lower taxes than at the start of the legislature

Pool MoncloaAs regards the possibilities of the Minister for Economic Affairs and Competition, Luis de Guindos becoming President of the Eurogroup, the President of the Government once again advocated his candidature, "because in 2012 we were the weak man in Europe whereas now we are a country that may grow by more than 3% this year and which has come out of the lowest point of one of the most serious crises that the Spanish economy has ever gone through".

In terms of taxation, Mariano Rajoy defended the policy of lowering taxes because "the greater the resources in the hands of society, the better these resources will be put to use", above all to create jobs. In this regard, he stressed that at the end of this term of office, "the vast majority of Spaniards will be paying less Personal Income Tax than at the beginning, and the same will be true of Corporate Income Tax".

Moreover, he asked for "extreme caution" in relation to taxes on tourism because of the weight of this sector on GDP and on job creation in Spain. "By introducing these things the country will not be better governed and this may prejudice many people without wanting to do so", he pointed out.